- UN peacekeepers urge Lebanon to swiftly launch probe on ‘deliberate’ attack on personnel
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday condemned what it described as a “deliberate attack on peacekeepers” after small-arms fire by non-state group actors killed one peacekeeper and injured three others as they were clearing explosive ordnance in Southern Lebanon.
“UNIFIL has launched an in investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Initial assessment indicates the fire came from non-state actors (allegedly Hezbollah),” UNIFIL said in a statement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun vowed to prosecute those who targeted French UN peacekeepers.
In a statement shared by the presidency, Aoun expressed his condolences to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call, condemning the incident and vowing that Beirut “will not hesitate to pursue those involved and bring them to justice.”
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Lebanon’s leaders to “guarantee the security of UNIFIL soldiers” in calls with the country’s president and prime minister, the Elysee said.
“Everything points to Hezbollah being responsible for this attack,” he said on X, urging Lebanese authorities to arrest the perpetrators.
